HomeMy WebLinkAboutFMINUTES040109Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc.
Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Friends of West University Place Parks Board met on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at West University Place
City Hall, 3800 University, in the Chambers.
The following were in attendance:
Board Members
Joni Fichter
Judy Bouillion
Debora Connelly
Julie Foster
Susie Garofolo
Sue Hanna
Leah Ragiel
Susan Sample
Adrienne Vanderbloemen
Elizabeth Karkowsky
Beth Lane
Susie Boyce
Robin McGowan
Stephanie Roman
Advisory Board
Kim Wilson
City Councilman
Chuck Guffey
Guests
Jennifer Gatto
Chair's welcome - Joni Fichter
• Joni Fichter called the meeting to order at 11:38 am.
• Susie and Nick will be honored by city council with the Star Award for their efforts with PLB on 4/13
at 6:30 so come and support them if you can.
• Don't forget the Fiends cocktail party with spouses on 4/30 at 6:00. Thanks to Debora for hosting at
her home.
• WU Garage Sale is April 18 at JMH. Thanks to Sue Hanna and Stephanie Roman for their efforts
and please start cleaning out your closets and garages now!
• Huffington Park planning meetings have been a success and TF Harper and Burke have been
wonderful to work with... see plans
• Donna, Elizabeth and I will meet to discuss press for the treehouse at Whitt Johnson and ribbon
cutting at Wier Park on April 15 (Donna will talk to Walton family about a memorial at Wier before
that)
Approval of the Minutes and Sign-In Sheet - Judy Bouillion
A motion was made by Beth Lane and seconded by Stephanie Roman to approve the March minutes as
sent. The motion carried.
Judy requested to all Board members to forward all board reports to judybouillion att.net.
Parks and Recreation Report - Tim O'Connor
The Arbor Day/Meet the City/Eggstravaganza will be held on Saturday, April 4 at Colonial Park.
Attendance is usually very high, 1200 people expected.
• One hundred 5 gallon trees will be available to those interested.
Planning underway for the Music Under the Stars Concert Series - April 3, 17 & 24. Banners have
been posted and flyers distributed to WUE and St. Mark's.
A motion was made by Leah Ragiel and seconded by Debora Connelly, to approve the recommendation
presented by Tim O'Connor to approve funding the Huffington Park Playground Redevelopment Project up
to $150,000. The motion unanimously carried.
Executive Director's Report - Donna LaMond - Not present
Treasurer's Report - Sue Hanna - No report
Board Reports
PR/Marketinq - Elizabeth Karkowsky
• Will be contacting papers with drop off information for the Garage Sale on April 18th
• Have some great photos taken at the PLB.
• Photos of our new board members can be found in the City Currents on the Friends Page.
• Need to discuss planning of dedication ceremonies at various parks. These create a photo
opportunity for you and your family.
Membership and Marketing - Debora Connelly
• Wants to create awareness of Friends and possibly have a Friends Membership Drive
• Has a friend in advertising who wants to work with Friends
Development (Grants & Foundations) - Stephanie Roman
Working on the Garage Sale
• Collections
• Electricity
• Creating schedule for volunteers
• Please save your trash bags!
Park Lovers' Ball 2009 - Susan Garofolo
• Sociables are still available
• Still working on the final numbers
Park Lovers' Ball 2010 - Jennifer Gatto
• The 2010 PLB will be held on February 20, 2010 at either Hotel ZaZa, The House of Blues, or
Minute Maid Park. The decision will be made soon.
• Kim Wilson commented that it is a tight year economically, and as an underwriter, she questions if
the venue will feel empty if there are fewer attendees.
Special Proiects/Wish List - Susan Sample
No Report
Business Partners and E-Store - Beth Lane
• Needs help on Saturday, April 4th at the Eggstravaganza/Arbor Day celebration selling T-shirts and
blankets at the Friends table from 11 - 2.
• Will have Grocery Store programs available at the Friends table at the Eggstravaganza.
Friends Guild - Leah Ragiel
• Last meeting is April 22nd at Amanda Dearborn's home at 6351 Vanderbilt.
City Council Report - Chuck Guffey
0 Reported that Councilman Talianchich is recovering from his illness.
• Ordinances for limitations on hedges blocking front yards and front yard turnarounds on Buffalo
Speedway to allow safer entrance to the street are before council for public meetings and approvals.
• Council has purchased options to obtain two lots adjacent to the Rec Center entrance as additional
parking and green space.
• Six candidates are running for the four council positions and the mayor is unopposed. A political
forum run by the Examiner will be April 21 at the Community Building.
• Design of the Rec Center pool as mainly for competitive swim meets and lap swimming is finalized
and Colonial Park as a family fun pool is coming up.
Old Business
Regarding business cards for board members, Susan White has printed them up for us and they are here to
distribute today. We have some for the PLB Chairs and F & F Chairs as well. These are designed so that
you can just write in your name and contact information.
New Business
The next Friends board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 11:30 at West University
Place City Hall, 3800 University, in the Chambers.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Bouillion, Secretary